We had a wonderful time with our kids. It offers the best chance I have experienced to get up close to these animals in a way that is as animal friendly as it can be with small crowds and without paying a fortune. The Big Banana is an amusement park in Coffs Harbour built in 1964 and a popular family attraction among locals and tourists alike. A short cantilevered walkway juts out 15m above the forest with views sweeping Drive to Sealy Lookout for incredible views over the city and then grab a beer and toast to the first night of your Australian road trip! The exact coordinates of the midpoint are: 33 2' 0" S 151 52' 13" E The best place to meet based on recommendations from Trippy members is Newcastle (Australia). If you want to meet halfway between Sydney, NSW and Kingscliff, NSW or just make a stop in the middle of your trip, the exact coordinates of the halfway point of this route are -31.235126 and 152.821609, or 31 14 6.4536 S, 152 49 17.7924 E. Absolutely fabulous walk, cannot more heartedly recommend! The Big Banana now boasts The Banana Slip Water Park (Australias first 3 story high inflatable waterslide the biggest in the world), Area 351 Laser Tag Arena, Ice Skating Rink, Wild Toboggan Ride, The World of Bananas multimedia theatre experience, plantation. Dont think about it - just click download right this minute. Working farm, plant nursery & sustainable market garden with tours, an onsite restaurant & a bakery. This rocky outcrop called Snapper Rocks is where surfers launch themselves into the waves. Very short route which is a bit overpriced, they even charge $1 for one paper map after paying for tickets already. The walk provides access to Bogey Hole, a convict-built ocean bath from the colonial period. You get to pick exactly what you want Want strawberries to eat today? Wind your way through banana plantations on the 10-minute drive from Coffs Harbour to Sealy Lookout in the Orara East State Forest. Nerang Murwillumbah Road and Bakers Road, Springbrook, One of the shorter trails on this list yet offering one of the areas star attractions, the Natural Bridge. Originally established in the 1970s, the park offers safe haven for marine animals that have been injured or otherwise made incapable of returning to the wild, and now houses dozens of aquatic mammals and other varieties including Little Penguins, sea lions, green sea turtles, and most famously, its handful of Bottlenose Dolphins which serve as the star attraction. A coastal town also known for its good surf. It was such a great time exploring the grounds. Camden Head rock pools. texas basketball camps 2022; mikhail and sarina abramovich Waterslides, ice skating, mini golf & laser tag are offered at this banana-themed amusement park. Afterwards be pampered at one of the Hunters many day spas before spending the night at five-star luxury resort, Chteau lan at The Vintage. Great Strawberries picking time! Small, indoor-outdoor koala rehabilitation center with a gift shop, open to the public for tours. The organisation rely solely on the donations of people. We were very lucky to have found this little gem during our visit to Port Macquarie. There is also a caravan park right on the beach in town. Trial Bay Gaol is a excellent place to see a little of Australia's history. Click here to read more. Cape Byron Lighthouse Cafe sells gelato from In the Pink, which you can enjoy while looking out for dolphins and whales below. The schooner Coolangatta was wrecked here in 1846, which gave this beach its name. Cessnock is the most popular city on the route it's 2 hours from Sydney and 7 hours from Gold Coast. The bananas and avocados are cheap too!. Every man and his dog knows about Byron now. All rights reserved. Preparing For Your Brisbane To Sydney Road Trip Where Should You Stop Essential Stops Between Brisbane and Sydney or Sydney and Brisbane Gold Coast Kingscliff Byron Bay Yamba Coffs Harbour Nambucca Heads Port Macquarie Forster Port Stephens Seal Rocks Newcastle Bouddi National Park Blue Mountains About : The Dolphin Marine Conservation Park is situated at the Orlando region of Coffs Harbour City and is home to the native marine animals. Coffs Harbour is also a beautiful seaside town. Nothing outstanding just another tourist town. Acting as the initial symbol many international and interstate visitors will have upon arriving at the Gold Coast by plane, Coolangatta is the area where the main stretch of continuous beach that reaches up to Main Beach in the north begins. The superbank is one of the most consistent surf breaks on the Gold Coast in Queensland, and begins at Snapper Rocks and extends to Kirra Point. Beautiful beach and great views of the coast, especially to see the sunrise! A beautiful clean white sand beach away from the madness of the main Gold Coast strip, come here to relax and get away from it all. Love love love! Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. It a cute little town on a stunning beach/river mouth just south of Coffs Harbour. The pier projects 21.6 meters beyond the Sealy Lookout at a height of 310 meters above sea level. Worth the visit. Just be sure to check out the comments section for each site as it gives a great indication of what the place is really like. Coffee van was set up on Saturday morning in the car park. Dubbed the biggest and best fun park on the Northern NSW coast, it would be unthinkable to head to Coffs Harbour and not visit the Big Banana Fun Park. Established in 1973, this nationally recognised treatment and rehabilitation centre in Port Macquarie has four permanent paid staff and provides 14 intensive care units and 33 special yards for rehabilitation. A guided tour is included in the price or you can walk along the boardwalk alone if you wish. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Must say I love it but then again I live here. Just disappointed we arrived too late for the guided tour. Beautiful beaches and an amazing rivermouth that is the bluest of blue, Im always amazed how stunning it is every time I drive over the bridge between the two towns. Save all the best places to visit with Wanderlog, Download the travel planning app everyone's been raving about, https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/visitor-centres/sea-acres-rainforest-centre?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google+My+Business+Page, https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/smoky-cape-lighthouse?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google+My+Business+Page, https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/trial-bay-gaol?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google+My+Business+Page, https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/dorrigo-national-park?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google+My+Business+Page, https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/coffs-harbour-area/dorrigo/attractions/dangar-falls, http://www.dolphinmarineconservation.com.au/, Solitary Islands Village - The Premier Over 55 Retirement Village, http://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit, https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/lookouts/minyon-falls-lookout?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google+My+Business+Page, https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/cape-byron-walking-track?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google+My+Business+Page, https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/cafes-and-kiosks/cape-byron-lighthouse-cafe?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google+My+Business+Page, https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/springbrook?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb&utm_content=natural-bridge, Sydney to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park drive. A boardwalk through the rainforest connects the visitors to the rainforests beauty and the information center also offers a coffee shop and cafe. Part of the Orara East State Forest, the lookout point is just a short drive from central Coffs Harbour and offers an outstanding aspect overlooking the city of Coffs Harbour and extending outwards to the open ocean. Well worth the visit, but checkout the weather before heading up. Families, surfers & swimmers frequent this scenic beach with city views & access to restaurants. Wanderlog makes planning a trip so effortless. Just order via The Chickn Shack app - its so easy and convenient! Definitely enjoy the walk and explore around, otherwise, it might not be worth it as a quick bite option! great place and gethering with friend! Right on the river and super close to the beach. The landmark, walk-through Big Banana may have been the first of the monumental Big Things that are dotted around Australia. Waterside aquarium featuring opportunities to swim with dolphins & seals, plus shows & activities. Time from Sydney - 4 hours. The staffs are all so beautiful and kind Highly suggest this place to pass by if you have time. You know I couldnt write a guide for Coffs Harbour without mentioning the iconic Big Banana. Check out the Forster Ocean Baths, it's kid swim heaven. We will visit again if we come to Port Macquarie. North Coast Holiday Parks, Seal Rocks Treachery Camp Seal Rocks Yagon Campground, Seal Rocks Forster - This is a pretty big town with plenty of accomodation options. There was a coffee van and It was awesome in the cold autumn weather. 4.5 to 5 hours north of Sydney. It is definitely worth a visit, if only to have your photo taken with the banana and to have a chocolate coated, frozen banana soooooo good! The organization this app provides has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. Youll see a range of fish, turtles, feed penguins and fish and receive kisses on the cheek from a dolphin. The views were awesome. Just 8km (5mi) south of the town centre, the headland is an important site of cultural significance for the Birpai people, who have lived in the area for tens of thousands of years. Great lookout/ walk down to have a swim in the cold water. Extra benefit is you walk past the most eastern point in Australia. Surprisingly. Better to carry food as the cafe gets busy during weekend lunch hours. The Big Banana has many school holiday activities, including rides, water slides, mini golf, exciting shops and small craft businesses onsite. In the waters off Coffs Harbour Marina is the Solitary Islands Marine Park, home to abundant wildlife, seasonal whales and coral reefs. The Big Banana Fun Park has been in business since 1964, taking shape on a banana plantation. Took us 3 attempts before we got to the pier without it being head and shoulders in the clouds, but the view was worth the repeat visits. I hope it doesn't rain that time :p. A 6.6km walk with the kids (9 and 7) enjoying every step . Strawberries were not large (not as large as when you bought at supermarket), but surprisingly very sweet. Located near the towns beachfront, this rainforest preserve is home to an elevated boardwalk that allows visitors to walk through the rainforest. Facilities: between . Great place for family with little kids. The drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast is 526 miles (847 km). Keep an eye out for casual seal strolls in the picnic area. Interesting Guides along the walk who were happy to share their wealth of knowledge. There is a lovely river mouth which is perfect for kids and of course plenty of beach. Kids loved the park and had a great time. with all-things-aquatic, offering the chance to get up close with a variety of some of natures cutest marine dwellers. The alligators here amazing and the number of them that are maintained well in a water body with in park is amazing to watch. Plus, dont forget the photo opportunities at the big banana itself! Great to get a different view from the canopy walk. The most famous surf break on the coast has to be Snapper Rocks. Service is friendly and theres lots of strawberries to pick your own from. Ill work in order from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast heading north in the list below and Ill also put them all into a map so you can get an idea of where they sit in relation to each other. The southernmost suburb in the city, Coolangatta and its idyllic beach lie half an hours drive from the center, right on the border with New South Wales. Easy access for parking and viewing the Centre, as well as the boardwalk. Grab smoothies and head across the road to watch surfers and early morning swimmers take to the ocean. Inland, amazingly green and beautiful and on a lovely river. They sell chocolate sauce near the counter for the strawberries. 10:00 am start in Sydney drive for about 9 hours 6:58 pm Palm Beach stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am day 1 driving 9 hours Day 2 10:00 am leave from Palm Beach drive for about 41 minutes 10:41 am Australian Venom Zoo stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:41 am drive for about 50 minutes 12:31 pm Newcastle (Australia) 159 Pacific Dr, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, Australia. Can get very slippery on the way to the water if been recently raining. But surfers wont hesitate naming Snapper Rocks their favourite strip of sand because of its clean waves, consistent swell and the man-made Superbank, a sandbank that allows boardriders to cruise all the way to Coolangatta. However, many locals and surfing enthusiasts list Snapper Rocks as their favourite beach owing to its distinct waves, uniform swell and the Superbank, a human constructed sand bank that lets boat riders cruise from Snapper Rocks to Coolangatta. We picked approx 2 kgs of strawberries (1 small bucket) and bought many strawberry jams to give away (each is $8). Byron Bay is a coastal town in the southeastern Australian state of New South Wales. Palm Beach is a suburb in the Northern Beaches region of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Dolphin Marine Conservation Park is the only zoological park in New South Wales where you can get up close to dolphins, and is an exciting and once-in-a-lifetime experience as a result. Beautiful Scenic walk on Break wall. 22 minutes off the main route, 20% of way to the Gold Coast. Terrigal Skillon has impressive views of wamberal and Avoca beach. While youre in Port Macquarie, you can visit the Tacking Point Lighthouse, which was built in 1879. The Big Banana Fun Park has a brand new giant slide named The Racer. The Seal and Dolphin shows are highlights. Newcastle is a harbour city in the Australian state of New South Wales. Why Should You Visit : You can visit the Dophin Marine Park to enjoy your day out with the native marine species of Australia. You can even tour the facility. If you want to help further, you can also sponsor wild koalas through the Koala Hospitals adoption program. Great for kids and adults alike. Would love to go again and suss out the local hiking trails. All the staff were professional and very helpful. Walk to Raymond Terrace Coach Stop, Adelaide St: 0.3km: 3m: Bus towards Taree: Raymond Terrace Coach Stop, Adelaide St: 159.0km: 2h 25m: Forster Coach Stop, Little St: Busways Great Lakes (011 61 13 15 00) Walk to Forster NSW 2428, Australia: 0.3km: 4m Sydney to Melbourne Start in Sydney early to make the most of your day and drive to Goulburn . The award-winning Forest Sky Pier offers visitors a unique view of the Coffs coast and the mountains offering a great opportunity to take photographs of the picturesque landscape. Best view as well.. Then reward yourself at the top with some ice cream from this cute caf, which has a large terrace with sweeping views of the bay. You can buy a box for a $1 but if I had the opportunity Id have packed mine in a large plastic container. 11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale NSW 2481, Australia. Adequate car parking with access on a sealed road. The Lighthouse is on along The Coastal Walk, so if you need to burn off some energy why not walk a part of this beautiful walk. Camping for tents, campervans or caravans in the beautiful Crowdy Bay National Park. Home to Waves campground, which is an awesome spot. There are no doubt heaps of gorgeous spots along the way that I still havent checked out, Ill have to get cracking Id love any hot tips you have of where I should head when I make it to Port Stephens , Your email address will not be published. This popular patrolled city beach features picnic areas, swimming, boating, scuba diving & more. Amazing!! Cities between Sydney, New South Wales and Forster, New South Wales. Just east is the Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve, with its large population of wedge-tailed shearwater birds and learning centre. This quaint little suburb exudes old-school charm in the beachside and is one of the quiet beaches in Gold Coast. In more ways than one. Picturesque 30-m. waterfall with a viewing platform, parking & picnic tables in a wooded setting. Find all the towns and cities in between. When your friend gets the perfect shot in the perf, My fave new addition to the silo light show is thi, Always fabulous to re bump into friends over and o, Totally engrossed in the show while sunset happens, We are back in Quorn! Easily the most well-known of Australias unusual series of big inanimate landmarks (avocado, guitar, prawn, et al), the Big Banana has become synonymous with everything Coffs Harbour since its construction back in 1964. Best parts: place is undercover, dry (no dirty shoes) and entry is FREE! The lighthouse itself is interesting, but youre mostly coming here for the sweeping ocean views. You can see many bays and coves from the summit. And thats before we come to the 2019-2020 bushfires that devastated a huge portion of their habitat. One of the very beautiful waterfalls I have seen. Theres a lot of places to visit while staying in the nearest holiday park around. Really lovely and not yet crazy busy like Byron. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. The conservation park is licensed to display animals such as Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins, seals, penguins, green sea turtles, and a variety of endemic fish species. Cities Between. Easy 100m to the top viewing platform, small playground, picnic tables & toilets here. It is a beautiful fall but you should adjust the expectations if going just for the lookout. Please share it, you will make my day . Kirra Beach is renowned for being the spiritual home of surfing on the Gold Coast and is considered one of the worlds premier surfing wave breaks. If you have a little more time you could stop in Newcastle or Port Macquarie, but as were rushing to only the best places along the east coast, Id recommend getting as far north in this first day as possible, and realistically, this is Coffs Harbour. Saw lots of people surfing near the beach. Billabong Zoo is known for its koala breeding centre. CITIES BETWEEN. Nice beaches and alot of accommodation. It is located roadside heading north on the Pacific Highway, not only can you not miss it visually, but you have also got to go in and have a look around. Kirra Beach is mostly frequented by locals but is another great spot if you or some of the family are really experienced and avid surfers. This little town is gorgeous. Nice cafes opposite the beach. They also have a variety of food items and sweets as you sip and enjoy the sweeping views of the sea. Very popular location with friendly atmosphere, great for families, couples for romances or family get togethers. They pack a lot into the very small park had wheelchair accessible exhibits. Good view and landscape for both scenic and portrait photography shots. A place that kids would love and a must visit spot indeed. Below you'll find some of the best day trips from Sydney and stops between Sydney and Brisbane. The lighthouse is beautifully kept, startling white and on a magnificent sight with views for miles. Ride the famous Toboggan Ride overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Waterfront park offering an elevated rainforest walkway, with guided tours & a cafe. Not close to anything really so take what you need in with you. They also have a really nice cafe but is a bit on the pricy side so its wise to bring food and drinks. Best place to go to for free. I enjoyed the drive (through Nightcap Range Rd) a lot more than this end point :) Aussies love their BIG things and therefore you cannot miss The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour!. road winds through national parks & alongside waterfalls. For a touristy spot, the caf serves surprisingly good coffee. Lovely and green and not too far from Noosa. Saw a powerful owl! Beautiful coastal national park with lovely campgrounds and also a caravan park. Museum with a range of art exhibitions plus the art of Margaret Olley & a recreation of her studio. Located eight kilometres south of Port Macquarie, the lighthouse crowns a high hilltop at the end of a nine-kilometre coastal trail. Take the family along for an adventure and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. Allow 2 to 3 hours. The largest amusement park between Sydney and the Gold Coast is right here in Coffs Harbour. Plenty of restaurants and bars and a lots or retail down in Hasting Street. Do yourself a favour and take the 6km drive off the Pacific Highway (north of Coffs Harbour) through the banana plantations and into the lush green Orara East State Forest. Don't let the short trip here fool you as you can stay for hours taking in all the natural beauty it has to offer! Famous for its scenic views, this 106-mi. Its known for its beaches, wildlife and penal colony past. Animal lovers will jump at the opportunity to swim with or kiss the dolphins, feed a seal and watch live shows. Admission is free, with charges for associated attractions, such as ice skating, toboggan rides, minigolf, the waterpark, plantation No trip to Coffs Harbour is complete without visiting The Big Banana. A place that kids would love and a must visit spot indeed. Cafe was nice, lovely way to spend a morning. In fact, seasonal whale and dolphin boat tours are extremely popular. Minyon Platform Track, Whian Whian NSW 2480, Australia. 10 minutes off the main route, 45% of way to the Gold Coast. Driving from Sydney to the Gold Coast should take you 8 hrs 21 mins in normal traffic. What are the best places to stop from Sydney, New South Wales to Forster, New South Wales? It is a small centre which offers an intimate, up close experience with some beautiful marine animals. Built in 1879, its the thirteenth-oldest lighthouse in Australia, and has hosted its fair share of photoshoots across the years. Stunning views south to Surfer Paradise, very well kept area considering how many people utilise it!! Another reason to visit Kirra Beach is not only the beach itself, but also the range of beautiful Gold Coast scenery that it has to offer with scenic footpaths, headland, golden sand and greenery all combining to make it a picturesque locale. It is the administrative centre of the City of Cessnock LGA and was named after an 1826 grant of land called Cessnock Estate, which was owned by John Campbell. Popular zoo with many species of reptiles, free-roaming kangaroos, shows & hands-on experiences. This site and app let me do all the planning for our 15 day trip in a little over 6 hours! Driving around the area was a little confusing also as its on the border of NSW and QLD, and daylight savings was in effect and our clock kept changing. A post shared by DolphinMarineConservationPark (@dolphinmarineconservation) on Jul 25, 2019 at 1:17am PDT. Ample parking spaces. As the name suggests, it is a good place to watch dolphins and found on the google map. Owing to its boomerang shaped structure, it is believed that Kirra beach was named after a boomerang by the Aboriginal people of Queensland.

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